FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - Shoplifting is at it's peak during the holiday season, not because there's more stuff, but rather more regular people packing the stores. Thieves use the distractions to commit their crimes and now that the holiday shopping season is underway, store owners report crimes are picking up.

It's a crime that happens all around as customers shop. Clerk Amber Pendergrass told ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 about the coat trick, where someone puts a coat on the counter as merchandise is being displayed.

"Eventually within the process she slid one of the items underneath her coat and she acted like she didn't know what was going on," said Pendergrass. "Eventually she did give the bracelet back."

From boutiques to big box stores, to malls and even the supermarket, stealing seems to be rampant. Store manager Jennifer Benson said the current economic fallout could be adding to the store theft. "With the economy being where it's [at], I'm sure there are folks out there that are going to take advantage of shopkeepers that are not aware of what's going on," she said. 

Fairfax County (web|news) Police have undercover officers to blend in as shoppers to catch those who steal. Many of the thieves are professionals who travel from across the country just to shoplift in Northern Virginia.

"They're capable of coming in and stealing tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise in one or two trips to the store," reported Captain Steve Thompson of the Fairfax County Police Department.

There are police, security patrols, cameras and vigilant clerks, but the shrinkage as retailers call it effects those who buy.

"It drives the prices up," said shopper Marcus Carter. "[It] makes everything harder; the economy's already bad, it don't need to be worse."